Level-Playing Field in General Election
Use of govt facilities by ministers in campaign main barrier: SHUJAN
Use of government facilities by the prime minister and ruling party men in electoral campaigns appears to be the main barrier in creating a level-playing field for the upcoming general election, said SHUJAN Secretary Prof Badiul Alam Majumdar yesterday.
The aforementioned also enjoy privileges of using the state-run media, administration and law enforcers. The Election Commission's (EC) silence in this regard and some recent amendment proposals to the electoral code of conducts will impede holding of a free, fair and credible national election, he said.
He was addressing a press conference, "Reform of electoral laws: Where are we?", Shushashoner Jannoy Nagorik (SHUJAN) organised in the capital's Jatiya Press Club.
As per the constitution, the 10th parliamentary election is scheduled to be held in 90 days between October 27 and January 25, 2014. As per the existing code, this 90-day period is the "pre-election period".
The proposed changes say the "pre-election period" is from the announcement of the poll-schedule, which is yet to be made, to declaration of the results.
"The election commission violated the constitution by shrinking the pre-election period," he said.
The prime minister is going around the country at the government's expenses, laying foundation stones of projects and simultaneously holding party rallies, seeking votes and pledging developments, he said.
The proposed changes include increasing electoral expenses from Tk 15,000 to Tk 25,000; decreasing penalty for violators in many cases and scrapping the provision making a three-year membership of a political party mandatory for the party's candidates. These changes will prompt the spread of black money in the election, he viewed. SHUJAN Executive Member Hameeda Hossain also criticised the EC for inaction against violators.
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